Another day, another chance to clear some misconceptions: I, as a girl who enjoys attending and watching as well as playing a football match every now and then, do not do so to showcase my looks in hopes of โgetting modelling contracts,โ nor to gawk at the โfit, muscular and sweaty guys taking their shirts off.”
I most definitely do not worship the grounds David Beckham walks on, nor do I attempt to hit the field in order to appear โso adorable to watch them tackle and score.โ I am not married, but I would personally not attempt to impress any possible suitors with me โsharing their interestโ in football.
Why do I, a girl, love watching or participating in the occasional match, then, if itโs not for any merely vain purpose? What other purpose can I possibly have to enjoy the sport, given the fact that I was born female and that automatically takes me out of the stereotype of football fans in this country? Iโve talked to a few female football fans and have come up with the following genuine reasons why some girls love football:
Football is a Team Sport and Team Sports Are Always Fun:
What can be more liberating than running around a field, with a specific goal in mind? Playing any team sport, the likes of football, is so much more fun than working out on your own in a claustrophobia-inducing gym. Whenever my friends and I decide to tackle each other in a friendly and by no means professional game, we always end up having the best laughs.
Watching a Match Can Be a Great Stress Reliever:
I love rooting for any of my favourite teams and at times having a good shout at the players on TV. I literally forget about everything that may have been cluttering up my mind with worries and for 90 minutes, I get to pay attention to well-designed tactics, or at times poorly implemented ones, as well as admire the skills, speed and aiming accuracy of some of the players.
The Spirit in the Stadium Always Has That Addictively Infectious Feel:
If youโve never been to a football match, youโre definitely missing out on an unforgettable experience. Getting to do the โwaveโ or chanting mantras of encouragement alongside hundreds and thousands of equally as enthusiastic crowds always gives me chills down my spine: the spirit is undeniable!
Weโre Just, You Know, Your Average Human Beings Who Happen to Enjoy a Sport:
Why do we always equate football with testosterone? Why do we associate a sport to a certain gender even though we are currently living in the 21st century lest youโve forgotten this fact? I see no difference between a female and a male football fan: they are both passionate about a sport that should never be gender-exclusive in the first place.
The General Feeling of Unity and Celebratory Vibes That Accompany the Popular Sport:
We love match gatherings that come along with every huge football season. Lounging around in our favourite cafรฉ or at someoneโs house, cheering on our favourite teams as they compete in the UEFA Champions League, Africa Cup of Nations or the World Cup is both relaxing and exciting at the same time.
In a nutshell, while yes, some of the players are admittedly easy on the eyes, I can assure you that I will not dedicate a couple of hours of my life to pointlessly stare at them. Itโs high time we stopped believing that everything girls do is done solely to impress guys. I am assuring you, for what feels like the hundredth time, that I will not watch or play football to make some guy appreciate my existence and see me as more interesting.
Finally, female football players are not โcuteโ to watch, they are athletes as are their male counterparts.
